Towns can’t survive without commerce, and Te Puke has recognised the businesses and people who have provided the town’s financial foundation over the last 20 years.

This week, a special event launched the Te Puke Economic Development Group’s (EDG) Business Hall of Fame.

Also revealed at the event were the first three Te Puke Business Immortals: the late Stan Williamson, Shirley McGregor and the late Des McGregor.

Widely respected in both the haulage and forestry industries, Williamson moved to the Bay of Plenty in 1946 and, in 1953, started Maketū Contractors Ltd with his two brothers-in-law.

The business grew into a large operation providing agricultural contracting, land development and drainage work for farmers and the Department of Lands and Survey throughout the central North Island.

In 1964, Maketū Contractors was disbanded and Williamson bought its trucks and a bulldozer, continuing to service logging contracts. He supplied logs for the first shipment of radiata pine exported from New Zealand.

Williamson and his wife Netta established Stan Williamson Transport, which expanded through the acquisition of several other businesses. At its peak in 1984, the company owned 68 trucks.

Williamson was awarded life membership of the New Zealand Road Transport Association in recognition of 46 years of management within the industry and was inducted into the New Zealand Transport Hall of Fame in 2016. He died in 2024.

At the event, his son Jim said Williamson would have been in his element, recognising his contribution and sharing plenty of stories.

“His legacy still lives on and he would have been deeply honoured to have been here to receive this citation,” he said.

Shirley McGregor with daughters (from left) Sue Peat, Diane Bruin and Lorraine Beaton with son-in-law Ash Peat. Photo / Supplied

Well known for their contributions to Te Puke’s economy and community, Des and Shirley McGregor were innovative and entrepreneurial business leaders.

They started with a small food store in 1960 and grew it into a successful supermarket and wholesale liquor business.

After selling the supermarket, they bought the petrol station on the corner of Jellicoe and Jocelyn streets and turned it into a wine and gift shop. In 2011, it became Te Puke Super Liquor.

Passionate advocates for their town, McGregor played a key role in promoting Te Puke nationally and internationally, helping it gain recognition as the Kiwifruit Capital of the World. Together, the couple came to be widely regarded as unofficial ambassadors for the community.

Their commitment also extended to hospitality through the Te Puke Hotel and Molly O’Connor’s Irish Pub, where they created a welcoming environment for locals and visitors.

McGregor said she and Des had put in a lot of work over the years.

“It’s nice when people appreciate what you have done,” she said.

Their daughter, Diane Bruin, said the family was humbled by the recognition, while daughter Sue Peat said Des would have seen it as a privilege to receive the honour of being one of the first Business Immortals.

Te Puke MP Hon Todd McClay opened the Business Hall of Fame, and Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer presented the Immortals Citation Certificates.

Te Puke EDG has hosted the Te Puke Business Excellence Awards since 2006, and every category and supreme award winner since then is recognised in the Hall of Fame.

Housed in the Te Puke Kiwifruit Capital of the World Heritage Hub at the Capitol Cinema, the Business Hall of Fame is a permanent acknowledgment of recipients’ contributions to the town.

Te Puke Economic Development Group managing director Mark Boyle. Photo / Stuart Whitaker

The concept is the brainchild of Te Puke EDG managing director Mark Boyle.

“I don’t think there are too many places where you can go to a town and see business halls of fame,” he said.

“You’ll see industry halls of fame and sporting halls of fame, but I don’t think it’s too common to find a town that recognises its contributing businesses with a hall of fame.”

While awards ceremonies and acknowledgment certificates recognise winners, that acknowledgment can be fleeting.

The Te Puke Business Hall of Fame brings all the winners together permanently in one place, Boyle said.

“People can go and see who they are, and it also becomes a place to promote Te Puke.”

The Business Immortals title will be awarded to those who have made an especially significant impact on the local economy.

With the Hall of Fame now launched, nominations for future Business Immortals can be submitted for assessment by a panel. Those accepted will be announced at the 2027 Business Excellence Awards and subsequent awards events.

“They could have been Business Excellence Award winners, but they don’t have to be,” Boyle said.

The initiative is sponsored by Bennetts Proactive, Trevelyan’s Pack & Cool, Zespri International and Western Bay of Plenty District Council. The launch took place at the Te Puke Kiwifruit Capital of the World Heritage Hub in the Capitol Cinema, Te Puke.

Details of the 2027 Business Excellence Awards will be announced later this year.